Thoughts on 100hp tractor options

[Jrasband]

I used to get paid, but now I'm lucky to have someone keep the hay in exchange for mowing and bailing.

Not worth it, your giving fertility away. You'd be better off cutting it yourself.

 

[hayden]

I bought a 5115M about 3 years ago, been a rock solid tractor, no issues. Completely agree with all the previous comments , the euro quick mount is the only way to go even if you had to replace your current attachments.
Another thing to consider is which loader to go with. I’ve got the 540m loader on my 5085E and went with the 540r loader on the 5115M . Both are rock solid and each has it’s slight advantages. I like the 540m for it’s longer reach , excellent for pushing burning brush piles together and keeping the rest of the tractor at distance away from hot coals. 540R advantage is its compactness, doesn’t stick out as far and aids in maneuverability. Bought the 540M separate from tractor and installed myself.
I think you’d definitely like the 5M , they may be a bit pricier but you get what you play for

Thanks. I was wondering about the M vs R loaders and will look into it more closely. I now see there are lots of adapters, so I would likely go with a Euro/global loader and use the adapter as needed.

What do you use for ballast on the tractor for the loader? I was reading some stuff that suggested Deere always wants a weight box, and that wheel weights and loaded tires isn't enough. That struck me as very odd.

One of the primary uses for this tractor would be running a snow blower, and keeping that as close to the tractor as practical is very desirable. It becomes much harder to maneuver around if it's way out in front. So the idea of a loader that doesn't stick out so much is appealing, even if it sacrifices some reach when using a bucket.

 

[hayden]

Not worth it, your giving fertility away. You'd be better off cutting it yourself.

Perhaps, but I would also have to buy all the equipment since I currently only have the tractor. Plus I would have to be around and able to spend the few days and be slave to weather for each cut. That part is definitely not worth it to me. If I can't have someone else haying it, I would just cut it with a mower a few times a year at my convenience.

 

[hayden]

Once you see how nice euro/global is, you’ll thank us for switching.

I'll thank you now.

 

[Jrasband]

Perhaps, but I would also have to buy all the equipment since I currently only have the tractor. Plus I would have to be around and able to spend the few days and be slave to weather for each cut. That part is definitely not worth it to me. If I can't have someone else haying it, I would just cut it with a mower a few times a year at my convenience.

That's what I meant. Don't bother haying it just cut and leave it for now. Another option is to tell the person haying it is to only take one cutting, that helps a lot.

 

[hayden]

That's what I meant. Don't bother haying it just cut and leave it for now. Another option is to tell the person haying it is to only take one cutting, that helps a lot.

I see, and yes, that makes sense.

 

[Hay Dude]

Is a used CVT tractor an option? A Kubota M7 CVT(KVT) with 2,000 hours can be had for about 75K.
I’d take that over a 100HP new tractor 24/7. Once you drive it for a week, you’ll be glad you did.

 

[hayden]

On a related topic, I have been looking at late model used Deere 5M series tractors, and see a lot that only have 100hrs or so. Actually it ranges from a low of perhaps 50 up to around 300, but I'd say most in the 100 range. Would these be rental returns, and is that a common practice? Or is it a red flag that these tractors are sold new and don't stay sold for more than a 100 hrs or so? I'm guessing the former, but don't know what typical practices are.

 

[Seven Gables]

Thanks. I was wondering about the M vs R loaders and will look into it more closely. I now see there are lots of adapters, so I would likely go with a Euro/global loader and use the adapter as needed.

What do you use for ballast on the tractor for the loader? I was reading some stuff that suggested Deere always wants a weight box, and that wheel weights and loaded tires isn't enough. That struck me as very odd.

One of the primary uses for this tractor would be running a snow blower, and keeping that as close to the tractor as practical is very desirable. It becomes much harder to maneuver around if it's way out in front. So the idea of a loader that doesn't stick out so much is appealing, even if it sacrifices some reach when using a bucket.

For ballast I use 16 100lb suitcase weights hung from a Heavyhitch brand weight holding frame, gives about 1700lbs total. I’ve got only 1 wheel weight per side and No liquid ballast (may add 1 more). I find it’s plenty adequate for my uses , liquid would definitely add much more stability but over the years I’ve come to not like dealing with liquid ballast although I do still have it in some of my tractors. Wheel weights and 3pt ballast is my preferred option.
I do some snow removal for hire in winter with the 5115M and that’s the primary reason I went with the 540R loader on it. I’ve got some driveways I blow that it would be very easy to take out the corner of clients garages as I’m doing there circular drives especially if I leave bucket on. I prefer a rear mount blower for it’s smaller turning radius on a larger tractor, essentially gives you rear steering. Great setup for my applications.
Just want to add I mistakenly said I mounted the the 540m loader myself, it was the 540R loader.

 

[hayden]

Is a used CVT tractor an option? A Kubota M7 CVT(KVT) with 2,000 hours can be had for about 75K.
I’d take that over a 100HP new tractor 24/7. Once you drive it for a week, you’ll be glad you did.

I continue to look, but so far I keep bumping into the same two issues. First is that the tractor is just too big for what I need, and that would be the case with a M7. I looked at one of the larger M6 tractors this past week, and it's much too big for my needs, and for the space that I have. And obviously an M7 is even bigger. Honestly something like a Kubota M5 or Deere 4000 series is a better size, but none are available with a full function power shift, let alone a CVT. Just to get a powershift is pushing me into a tractor that is probably one size bigger than I need. The second issue is that the CVT tractors are a big bump is price. A Deere 6m series starts at around $175k new, and the CVT adds another $15k. The Fendt 200 series that you suggested earlier is in line size-wise with what I'm looking for, but way more expensive than a Deere or other with a powershift. Plus the Fendt dealer is just to far away. I also looked at a Case with CVT, but again it's a $175k tractor. So in short they have all turned out to be too big, or too expensive - at least so far